What began as a routine international journey turned into a national tragedy on June 12, 2025, when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
The aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time, only to disappear from radar within minutes, crashing into the densely populated area of Meghani Nagar in Ahmedabad. The horrifying impact killed 241 out of 242 people onboard, people on the ground where the plane crashed also died in aftermath, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak, debris, and unanswered questions. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the plane reached a mere 625 feet in altitude before issuing a Mayday call. Tragically, it never regained stability and struck the ground, igniting a catastrophic explosion. Emergency services responded immediately, but the devastation was immense.
Out of the 242 passengers on board, only one emerged alive — a lone survivor. Read his unbelievable story below!
The Lone Survivor Of Air India Flight AI171: Viswash Kumar Ramesh
Amid twisted metal, broken seats, and the haunting silence of loss, rescue workers found a miracle — 38-year-old Viswash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of Air India Flight AI171. Buried under a collapsed section of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s fuselage, Viswash was unconscious but alive, breathing through injuries that left his body battered and bloodied. Moments after emerging from the wreckage, still dazed and in shock, he made a video call to his father from beside the charred remains of the aircraft. “Our plane crashed. I have no idea how I got outside,” he reportedly told his stunned family. Rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors confirmed that while he suffered multiple injuries, his condition was now stable.
Viswash, a resident of Leicester, England, had been on vacation in Ahmedabad and was returning to London when the tragedy struck. Among the 241 lives lost in the crash was his own brother, Ajay Ramesh, adding unimaginable grief to the miracle of his survival. His younger brother, Nayan Ramesh, said the family had spoken to him briefly from the hospital before his phone was switched off for rest. “He was just in shock,” Nayan shared, standing outside their home, where mourning mingled with disbelief. Inside, their mother wept — grateful for one son’s survival, yet shattered by the loss of another. For Viswash, survival came at an unthinkable cost.
While Viswash’s survival is nothing short of miraculous, countless heartbreaking lives were tragically cut short. Read their stories below.
A Final Family Photo: The Doctor Couple And Their Children Lost In The Crash
Among the most heartbreaking stories from the Air India Flight AI171 tragedy is that of Dr. Komi Vyas and Dr. Prateek Joshi. Just moments before takeoff, they captured a selfie inside the aircraft, celebrating what they called “new beginnings.” Dr. Vyas had recently quit her job in Udaipur and was moving to London with their three children — twin five-year-old boys, Nakul and Pradyut, and their eight-year-old daughter, Miraya — to reunite with Dr. Joshi, who had returned to India just days earlier to bring his family home. The photo shows the smiling parents and their children seated across the aisle from each other.
Tragically, the celebration turned into devastation as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, killing the entire family along with hundreds of others. The couple’s relatives had gathered at Ahmedabad Airport to see them off, never imagining it would be their last goodbye. Dr. Vyas’ brother, Prabuddha, shared that the two had been married for ten years and were excited about their new life in the UK.
The Nanabawa Family From Gloucester
Among the British victims of the Air India Flight AI171 crash was the Nanabawa family — Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa. The family lived in Gloucester and were traveling back to the UK when the aircraft crashed. A statement issued by their relatives said they were heartbroken and still coming to terms with the incident.
The Syed Family From West London
Javed Syed and his wife Mariam, residents of west London, were traveling with their two young children on Air India Flight AI171. The family had been visiting relatives in India and were returning home to the UK. Mariam was employed at Harrods, while Javed worked at a hotel in west London. All four members of the Syed family were confirmed to be on the passenger list.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani
Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat, was among the passengers who lost their lives in the crash. He served as the chief minister of the state from 2016 to 2021 and was a prominent member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His presence on the flight was confirmed by India’s civil aviation minister during a press briefing.
The crash of Air India Flight AI171 has resulted in the deaths of over 260 people. Among them, 241 were passengers and crew members on board the aircraft, while the remaining casualties were individuals on the ground in Meghani Nagar, where the plane went down shortly after takeoff. As authorities continue their investigation, recovery operations are ongoing and identification of all victims is still in progress.
Sources: BBC, Daily Mail, The NY Times, and AP News.
